OPUA CRUISING CLUB

The friendliest club in the South Pacific

Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge 2026 – OCC Update

Planning and momentum are building fast for the 16th Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge, set to start from Opua on 30 May 2026. As the Organising Authority, Opua Cruising Club is stepping into an exciting new chapter, carrying forward the legacy of this legendary race while putting our club and community at the very centre of international sailing attention.

A Legendary Event

First held in 1970, the Solo Trans-Tasman is the longest-running singlehanded ocean race in the Southern Hemisphere and still the only one of its kind. With a reputation for testing courage, seamanship, and endurance over 1,200 nautical miles of Tasman Sea, it has produced countless stories of resilience and adventure. This is not a race for professionals chasing silverware, but for Corinthian adventurers — everyday men and women who prepare for years to test themselves against one of the world’s great oceans.

The Fleet is Growing

Since our last update, the fleet has expanded to nine confirmed entries – five from New Zealand and four from Australia – with strong interest from more than ten additional skippers, including veterans keen for another go. This is shaping up to be a true trans-Tasman contest, with Kiwi yachts taking the last two wins and Australian sailors hungry to bring the trophy back across the ditch.

With divisions for Adventure Monohull, Adventure Multihull, and PHRF, plus the prestigious Sir Francis Chichester Trophy for line honours, the competition promises to be fierce and diverse.

What It Means for OCC

Hosting the start from Opua brings many benefits:

  • International profile for OCC as organiser of a world-renowned ocean race.
  • Engagement opportunities for members to be involved in race management, shore activities, and festivities.
  • Stronger connections with Southport Yacht Club, reinforcing the spirit of trans-Tasman sailing.
  • Boosts to local economy and tourism through visiting competitors, supporters, and media.

In the week leading up to the start, OCC and the Bay of Islands community will enjoy a vibrant race village on the Opua Superyacht Dock, creating a celebratory atmosphere for sailors, members, and visitors alike.

Sponsorship – A Unique Opportunity

The Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge offers businesses a chance to stand alongside one of the world’s great ocean races. Sponsorship provides:

  • Brand visibility across New Zealand, Australia, and international sailing communities.
  • On-water and online exposure through event websites, social media, merchandise, and race media coverage.
  • Engagement opportunities in the pre-race village at Opua and post-race celebrations at Southport.
  • Creative activations such as product showcases, customer competitions, and partnerships with competing skippers.
  • Global digital reach through the official Virtual Regatta edition of the race, where thousands of eSailors will compete on the same course in real time.

Sponsorship can be tailored to suit companies of all sizes, from naming rights to supporting specific trophies, prizes, or digital initiatives. For local businesses and distributors, it’s a chance to connect directly with sailing and adventure audiences across both sides of the Tasman.

Looking Ahead

Entries are open until October 2025, with late entries accepted into March 2026. The Race Management team is working hard behind the scenes, and with the support of our members, sponsors, and community, this promises to be one of the most memorable editions yet.

We encourage all members to spread the word, get involved, and help us showcase OCC at its best. If you or your business would like to explore sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch.

Contact: race@transtasmanchallenge.org

—
Julie Kidman
Solo Trans-Tasman Race Management

For more information, visit solo-tasman.co.nz

2025-09-08T22:51:33+12:008 September 2025|General, Racing|
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Members Draw Saturday 6th

It’s the Opua Cruising Club Members’ draw this Saturday!

To participate, members will need to be on the Club premises prior to 6.30pm this Saturday, 6th September, with their current Membership Card to enter. Please note that anyone who has paid membership for 2025-26 but has not collected their cards can do so from the bar or office.

The draw will start promptly at 6.30pm.  Membership cards will be collected and used to identify the winners, who will each pick a number to identify the prize they have won.

Twelve Members will win a prize each.  Prizes include generous vouchers from local businesses, some very nice wet weather gear, boatyard services and bar products.

Anyone unable to utilise a prize they have won is welcome to put it up for auction so other members can bid for it.

The Prize Draw will be completed by 7.00pm as the All Blacks v South Africa live on sky kick-offs at 7.05pm.

2025-09-17T23:49:57+12:004 September 2025|General|
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Bay of Islands Auto & Marine – September’s Sponsor of the Month

We’re thrilled to spotlight Bay of Islands Auto & Marine as Opua Cruising Club’s Sponsor of the Month for September.

Located opposite our club right here in Opua’s Baffin Street, this proudly New Zealand, locally owned business brings over 30 years of marine engineering expertise to our doorstep.

Brian, his wife Sonya and their team excels in sales, service, and installations across a wide spectrum of marine needs. As authorised dealers for Volvo Penta and Yanmar, they handle both inboard and outboard engines from a range of top brands, including Suzuki, Honda, Mercury, and Parsun.

The Bay of Islands Auto & Marine experienced technicians can handle all your marine servicing needs. They are qualified in the servicing of inboard and outboard engines and drive system combinations, as well as gen sets, electronics, fuel systems, gearboxes, steering units, and more, all with exceptional professionalism and care.

What sets them apart is not only their technical skill but also their commitment to safety and convenience, offering mobile service straight to your boat, on-site repairs at the marina, plus project management, refits, re-powers, trailer servicing, and overseas support.

Opua Cruising Club is proud to have such a reliable and skilled neighbour supporting our local sailing community. Whether you’re gearing up for a race or enjoying a leisurely cruise, Bay of Islands Auto & Marine ensures you get back on the water with full confidence.

Office: +64 (0)9 402 8375
Email: info@boiam.co.nz
Web: https://boiam.co.nz

2025-10-08T07:04:05+13:001 September 2025|General, News, Social|
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Dinner is on us!

🎉 GIVEAWAY TIME! 🎉
Win a three-course meal for two at our beautiful waterfront bistro The Galley
PLUS a $50 bar tab!
🍷🍽️

How to enter
1️⃣ Like & Follow Opua Cruising Club on Facebook
2️⃣ Follow OCC on Instagram @opuacruisingclub
3️⃣ And that’s it – you’re in the draw!

Entries close: Friday 12th September @ 5pm 
The winner to be announced shortly afterwards.

🍀 Good luck everyone! 🍀

We can’t wait to welcome the winner to The Galley for a fantastic evening.

2025-09-17T23:50:38+12:0028 August 2025|General|
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Solar Solutions Northland – August’s Sponsor of the Month

If you’re interested in reducing your electricity expenses, consider installing solar power with Opua Cruising Club’s sponsor of the month, Solar Solutions Northland!

Solar Solutions Northland is operated and managed by Cameron Murray, with headquarters located in Russell in the scenic Bay of Islands. They have just relocated from Opua to the new premises in Russell. Solar Solutions Northland can be found at 15 Aucks Road, situated adjacent to Russell Gas and above Russell Auto Repairs in Orongo Bay.

Cameron grew up splitting his time between Hawaii and Opua, attending school in Hawaii and spending holidays in Opua. After managing super yachts in the US, he entered the solar industry in its early days, designing systems for luxury homes in New York and Florida, and later for yachts. In 2012, as his grandfather aged, Cameron returned to Opua and relaunched Solar Solutions Northland, working on projects from tiny homes to fully off-grid houses capable of charging electric vehicles.

Cameron has over 20 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, with a focus on lithium batteries. He has lived onboard his boat, Tranquillity, and more recently moved into a fully off-grid home, where he has applied his knowledge by outfitting his residence with renewable energy products.

Cameron emphasises the importance of developing an effective load plan prior to starting a project. He follows the principle of only recommending products that he would be willing to use himself. Cameron’s background includes designing, installing, and living with sustainable energy systems for over two decades. Systems are designed to closely align with specific energy requirements, and modular options allow for future expansion while keeping initial costs manageable.

For clean, green power revolution, with renewable energy systems contact Solar Solutions Northland!

Phone Cameron 027 932 6815 or Office 027 228 4961
E-mail: info@solarsolutionsnorthland.co.nz
Website: www.solarsolutionsnorthland.co.nz

2025-10-08T07:07:18+13:001 August 2025|General, News, Social|
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Entries underway for the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge!

The countdown has officially begun!

Entries are now open for the 2026 Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge, and the fleet is already taking shape with eight confirmed entrants, evenly split between New Zealand and Australia. For the first time in years, we’re seeing a truly competitive trans-Tasman field, with skilled offshore sailors from both sides of the ditch preparing to take on this iconic solo challenge.

Among the entries is an exciting multihull, and while none of the current entrants have raced this event before, each one brings a wealth of offshore sailing experience to the race. These are seasoned skippers with thousands of sea miles under their belts, ready to write their own chapter in Solo Trans-Tasman history.

And the interest doesn’t stop there, we’re currently talking with at least ten more skippers considering entry, including some Solo Trans-Tasman veterans eager to return for another shot at the Tasman. This race has always drawn a unique mix of first-time entrants and returning heroes, and 2026 looks set to continue that tradition.

Dark and Stormy

Feeling the Pull?

If you’ve ever dreamed of crossing the Tasman solo or are sitting on the fence, now’s the time to jump in. Entries close 25 October 2025, and with the buzz already building, this is shaping up to be the biggest and most exciting fleet we’ve seen in years.

The race departs from Opua, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, on 30 May 2026, and finishes in Southport, Queensland. It’s more than just a race; it’s a personal challenge, an epic adventure, and a legendary rite of passage for solo sailors.

What You Need to Know:

  • Entries are now open
  • Eight skippers confirmed – 4 from NZ, 4 from Australia
  • One multihull entered
  • None are previous race finishers – all are seasoned offshore sailors
  • More than ten additional skippers are actively considering entering
  • Entry deadline: 25 October 2025

Whether you’re seriously planning your campaign or just starting to explore the possibility — we encourage you to get your entry in early. This gives you more time to plan, prepare, and be part of the exciting build-up over the next 10 months.

Join the legacy. Sail the Tasman. Race solo.

We’ll see you on the start line!

2025-07-31T04:44:44+12:0031 July 2025|General, News, Racing|
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Commodores Report – August 2025

Solo TransTasman Challenge

The Solo TransTasman Challenge departing Opua May 2026 has been confirmed with Southport Yacht Club finally agreeing to be the finishing destination.

Start of the last Solo Trans Tasman race in 2023

Julie Kidman is the driving force; it is going to be an awesome event for the club to be involved in and certainly lots of work, she would appreciate any ideas in the sponsorship / promotional area in these early stages.

Notice of race and promotion will start soon, and we are still looking for a major sponsor if anyone has contacts.

Welcome to the team

Charlee Haunui-Thomas has come on board as our Social Convener.  With more things happening around the club, it will be great to have someone coordinating the ideas and making sure we don’t drop the ball. Thanks Charlee!

It is also great to welcome Andy Vanasche to take up the role as Vice Commodore. Andy will work with Finn Topzand, John Ross and Ian Templeman to get our sailing programme more engaging and interesting. Thanks for stepping up, Andy.

Race updates

Rum race start times and any late updates will be advised on the OCC Whatsapp group chat again next season. Skippers and crew, please make sure you join up so you don’t miss any important notices.

Any problems, please give either me or the sailing committee a call.

A few activities coming up

13 / 14 September Elliot 5.9 Traveller series is being hosted by Opua Cruising Club.

Ian Templeman is coordinating the racing and we plan to do a BBQ night as a change. We’re also looking at getting Sky Sports back on the TV as there is an All Blacks VS South Africa match on. Should be a fun evening!

28th September Club Opening Day

This was a great success last year. It is the first day of daylight saving and we want to encourage anyone keen to go sailing to come along. We will put you on a boat, no sailing experience necessary.

We are looking at putting together a more structured learn to sail / crew programme this season, so please give Sheila a call in the office if you are interested in getting out on the water for this event.

And finally, we have just put a Suggestion Box in the Club foyer, so please, if you have any ideas, improvements or changes you would like to see, please tell us.

I am planning on heading to Fiji with Paul King on Nautilass next couple of days, hopefully the weather is a bit warmer / drier there, but will hopefully see you all around the club in the following months. Happy winter cruising!

Cheers, Terry

Terry Dunn

Terry grew up in Wellington, learning to sail in extreme conditions and spending his formative years in the Sea Scouts rowing around on pitch black nights playing Smugglers and sinking the enemy. He has never lost his love of just “playing around in boats”.

He moved to the Bay of Islands in his twenties and purchased the classic gaff cutter Aorere. It was also the start of many years cruising the Bay of Islands, the Northland coast and offshore voyages to the Pacific.

In 1990, he started Great Escape Yacht Charters and Sailing School to provide affordable sailing options in the Bay. Over the years, he operated a fleet of 14 yachts, passing on his enthusiasm and love of sailing to Kiwis and international visitors alike.

Now retired, Terry is currently a relief skipper with the R Tucker Thompson, and we are delighted to have him as the Club’s Commodore this year.

2025-07-28T01:22:13+12:0021 July 2025|General|
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Telltales goes digital

In an age when our lives are full, fluid, and frequently spent on the move – often literally under sail – a digital newsletter lets us put timely club news, race results, event reminders and other info straight into your pocket the moment they matter, instead of waiting weeks for ink on paper.

To make it easier for you to stay up to date, to reach a wider audience and do our bit for the environment, OCC has decided to move our newsletter ‘Telltales’ from a printed magazine to a new online format. From now on, you’ll find all the latest updates, news, and stories right here in our new blog.

Don’t worry, all the content you have been used to in the Telltales newsletter will still be available online. Plus, we’ll be sending out brief emails to let you know whenever new content is posted, so you won’t miss a thing.

And to our wonderful sponsors who have been keeping Telltales going through advertising over the years, thank you and don’t worry, you’ll still be featured regularly on our website and as part of our e-mail campaigns.

2025-07-27T23:54:00+12:009 July 2025|General|
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15th Solo Trans Tasman Race

We’re excited to share some big news: the Opua Cruising Club has officially been named the Organising Authority for the 15th Solo Trans-Tasman Yacht Challenge, now scheduled to start on 30th May 2026.

This iconic race — the longest-running single-handed ocean race in the Southern Hemisphere — sees solo sailors navigate over 1,200 nautical miles across the Tasman Sea from New Zealand to Australia. First held in 1970, the event has earned a legendary reputation for testing the courage, skill, and endurance of those who dare to take it on.

“We’re honoured to carry the torch for this remarkable race,” says Terry Dunn, Commodore of Opua Cruising Club. “The Solo Trans-Tasman Challenge is not just a test of seamanship — it’s a celebration of the unique connection between New Zealand and Australia. We’re proud to bring fresh energy, strong community involvement, and top-level support to the 2026 edition.”

The Opua Cruising Club takes over from the New Plymouth Yacht Club, whose dedication and support over the years have helped build the event into what it is today. Planning is well underway, with a vibrant pre-race program in Opua leading into the main event — a solo adventure across the Tasman that promises to challenge and inspire.

Skippers keen to join the 2026 challenge can now find the Notice of Race (NOR) and Provisional Entry Form on the official race website. We’ll continue to share updates on logistics, race details, and how to get involved — so keep an eye on our News section and follow us on social media for the latest.

Whether you’re a sailor, a supporter, or just a fan of great maritime adventure — welcome aboard. The countdown to May 30th, 2026, has begun!

For more information, visit solo-tasman.co.nz

Start of the last Solo Trans Tasman race in 2023
2025-07-31T04:36:39+12:0030 June 2025|General, Racing|
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